DaKine BC Vest

Going on a backcountry adventure? Want to stay safe without the added weight of a pack? The DaKine BC Vest is just the thing for you! This vest will carry shovel, probe and skins while keeping the weight down, and the stoke way up. Shred on!

Face Fabric

630D Nylon

1260D Ballistic Nylon

Pockets

Organizer pocket

Radio Pocket

Snow tool / shovel pocket

Interior climbing skin pockets

Additional Features

Vertical snowboard carry

Retractable cable ski carry

Hydration compatible

Side compression straps

Specs

Fit:Regular

Regular

This is the traditional, not too tight, not too baggy fit. Jackets and pants have room for layering without being very baggy when not wearing many layers. It has standard inseams with straight legs on pants.

An interesting if not entirely new concept. Some real advantages over a pack when carrying avy gear and little else - better wheight distribution, instant access to most items (other than avy gear), less bulky than most packs. Supposedly also less weight, but I am not sure it makes much of a difference compared to a small pack.

Concept of having many, small pockets by definition forces you to be organized about what to bring and where to put items.On the other hand this limits flexibility of arranging things. Also, the only (slightly) larger compartments are the back panel (for the shovel, probe, and hydration reservoir) and the interior pockets for the skins.

Other downsides are that the board carry is not as comfortable as a proper back and that the vest limits access to the jacket/jacket pockets.

Also would be better to have at least 3 size choices (S/M/L) and, more importantly, to have a sternum to tighten the vest across the chest.

I like it for heli and snowmobile riding, where I need to carry avy gear but can leave additional stuff (food, spare/extra layers, etc.) in the vehicle.For long days of skinning (and especially if I need the board cary) I still prefer a pack.